“I’ll pass on the message to her. But I don’t know what good it will do you. I’m not even sure she wants to see you.”
“I have to try at least.”
“Meet me outside the service gate later tonight. I’ll pass along her reply.” She turned and walked away.
At the same time, the wine merchants were wrapping up their business. Though he wanted to get into the temple proper and find Liane himself, he knew it was best he didn’t press his luck.
As he retreated, his chest swelled with something that felt like hope. Perhaps he’d get Liane out of the temple and find a cure faster and more easily than he’d imagined.
6
Rather than claw at the walls waiting for the Avatheos to begin her lessons, Liane buried herself in the books Sylvie had recommended. Most of the texts were rather dry and boring, however, and she found that her focus drifted more often than not. If she’d thought she’d find some firsthand account of what it meant to be the goddess’ chosen or how one might navigate having a holy blade in their back, she’d been sorely mistaken.
The only way she was going to figure out how to use and control her power was via the Avatheos, but he was slow to act and even slower to dole out information. He’d promised to teach her about her powers once she’d recovered. But he’d sent no word, nor made any indication he planned to teach her at all. She was starting to fear she’d been lied to again and she’d waste away in the temple waiting for lessons that would never come.
But just as she was about to resign herself to a life as a hermit, there was a knock on the door. Luzie was out on an errand, so Liane went to answer it.
When she opened the door, the acolyte who’d been knocking recoiled.
Liane touched her face. Was there something about her that was shocking? “Yes?” Liane asked.
“Your divinity, I wasn’t expecting to see you uncovered.” The acolyte lowered their head.
Ludwig was back at his post guarding her door, and he gave her a helpless shrug.
“Am I supposed to be covered up even in the privacy of my own chambers?” Liane asked.
They cleared their throat. “Of course not. Ah. As it was…”
Liane waited for them to collect their thoughts.
“I was sent with a message from the Avatheos—The stars are favorable tonight, and you shall begin your training this evening.”
Liane’s chest fluttered. This was it, the moment she’d been waiting for. But she couldn’t go as rumpled as she was.
“Give me a few moments to prepare. My, er—maid stepped out for a moment,” Liane said, and before they could question her, she closed the door and ran around the room.
Liane pumped her fist in excitement, hardly containing her delighted squeals as she made a victory lap around the room. She was in the middle of her celebration when Luzie returned. Her cheeks were flushed as if she’d run the whole way there. Liane rushed over and grabbed Luzie by the shoulders.
“I’ve had the most wonderful news!” Liane exclaimed.
“You know already?” Luzie gasped.
“Yes. They’ve just come and told me.”
“I wasn’t sure you’d want to see him. I was dallying in the hall, debating if I should tell you or not.”
Liane frowned. “Why wouldn’t I want to hear from the Avatheos? I’ve been waiting for word from him for days.”
Luzie flushed. “Oh, the Avatheos. Of course… Bit drafty, isn’t it?” she asked as she went over to fuss with the window.
It was actually quite warm given that it was late summer, and the meager breeze coming through her window was hardly sufficient to cool her down even with the sun setting.
“You were talking about the Avatheos, weren’t you?” Liane prodded her.
Luzie kept her back to her and continued to struggle with closing the window. She was hiding something from Liane. Luzie was a terrible liar. The guilt of it ate her up, and she wouldn’t look Liane straight in the eye.
“What are you keeping from me? Spill,” Liane said with her arms crossed.
